Archive for March, 2007

This 3-day campout at Sunset Beach is a long time ACTC tradition usually held in the middle of March. The odd name is derived from the typically cold conditions (chilly) and the Saturday night feast (chili). Sunset Beach is only about 40 miles from Los Gatos so riding to the campout Friday and back Sunday is a good option. I’ve been leading rides to and from the Chilly Chili campout the last few years with some riders going self contained and others arranging to have their gear transported.

Saturday includes a nice 40 mile out and back ride along Elkhorn Slew to Phil’s Fish Market at Moss Landing. Great early season camping and touring warmup.

This weekend adventure started over twenty years ago by Brad Wade. In recent years Pam Downs has led both a spring and fall edition. If you like riding lonely remote roads with little traffic then this tour is for you! The ride starts in King City and goes to Coalinga where everyone spends the night at Cambridge Inn before returning to King City the next day. You’ll cover about 130 miles total with 7500 ft of climbing. It is supported, sometimes by a dedicated sag driver, other times by sharing driving duties. You do not want to do this ride unsupported, particularly in the fall, as it can get very hot and there are no services along the way on either day.

King City is less than a 2-hour drive from the Bay Area and many people drive down Saturday morning and drive back Sunday afternoon. Others arrive Friday and spend the night at Keefers Inn.

In recent years this ride has been done in a clockwise direction but in October 2006 Pam tried counter-clockwise and many riders were pleased with the change. I suspect both directions will be ridden in the future. Last year Mylo and I turned this into a 6-day self contained tour and I expect to do that again next time. We discovered a great campground along the Salinas River right in King City so camping at San Lorenzo Park is definitely an option for those so inclined.